Disqualified agents Marquette and Turner still tweeting about real estate

Despite being prohibited from being involved in the real-estate business for periods of 15 years and 12 years respectively, Michael James Marquette and Simon Robert Turner, owners of disgraced Sydney real-estate business Marquette Turner Luxury Homes, continue to tweet about property to 3,752 followers.

The most recent tweets on the marquetteturner Twitter feed include a link to a blog entry on the company website about Filipino furniture designer Vito Selma. On June 1, the company tweeted about luxury real estate in Tuscany, even though the Potts Point real-estate business lost its licence on May 31 following an investigation by the NSW Office of Fair Trading.

The investigation into the company’s activities found irregularities in managing trust funds for various clients and strata corporations.

Deeds Not Words Pty Ltd, trading as Marquette Turner Luxury Homes, has been permanently disqualified from being involved in the direction, management and conduct of the business of a licensed real-estate agent. Marquette and Turner, directors and former licensees of the corporation, have also been disqualified from being involved in the real-estate business for periods of 15 years and 12 years respectively.

The company also traded in the Newcastle area as Marquette Turner Strata Management.

The cancellation of the real-estate licence and the disqualification of Marquette and Turner were announced by NSW Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts.

Roberts says Fair Trading estimates the business had accessed trust monies for a two-year period without authorisation.

“This company and two of its directors were not able to account for these funds, which they administered on behalf of clients,” he says.

“This is a serious matter, and the punishment is entirely appropriate,” Roberts says.

“The Administrative Decisions Tribunal previously dismissed applications by the company and its two directors to overturn NSW Fair Trading’s decision.

“Consumers expect real-estate agents to be ethical and professional.”

According to NSW Fair Trading records, Marquette and Turner had their business licences suspended on December 10, 2009 for 60 days pending the outcome of disciplinary action. This suspension was stayed by Administrative Decisions Tribunal on January 6, 2010.

Property Observer has sought comment from Marquette and Turner but has not received a response.